Granulating-machine.



m. 823,550. .PATENTEDJUNE19,1906.

E. L. RICHARDS. GRANULATING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED I' EB. 5. 1906.

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No. 823,550- 1 PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906. E. L.- RICHARDS. GRANULATINGMACHINE.

APPLICATIDN FILED FEB. 5. 1906.

4 $HEET$SHBBT 2.

a/bkomavy No. 823,550.. I PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906.

' E. L. RICHARDS.

GRANULATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906.

E. L. RICHARDS. GRANULATING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED F153. 5. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

gjiuwwl $2145;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GHANULATlNG-IVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented. June 19'. 1906..

Application filed February 5, 1906. Serial No. 299.481.

ticularly to means for dividing the materials into granules of uniformsize.

Heretofore the machines employed for granulating pharmaceuticalpreparations produced granules of unequal size, and consequentlyof-varying weight. Such granules when the preparations were formed intotablets, pastils, or the like by special machinery increased ordecreased the weight of the same. It is well known, however, that anincrease of weight of a tablet containing poisonous matter is dangerous,thereby jeopardizing life, while a decrease in'weight of a tablet failsto produce desired efiects.

The principal objects of my invention are,

first, to overcome the abovedescribed disadvantages ofgranulating-machines second, to provide such a machine with revolvingmeans and a rotating disk with slots of equal length through Which thematerial is forced by the revolving means for a predetermined period oftime to produce granules of uniform size and length and of equallycorresponding weight; third, to so bend portions of the metal of a diskintermediate of the slots therein as to form raised cutting edgesadapted to readily sever the material prior to passage through saidslots; fourth, to provide such a machine with an adjustablereceivingreceptacle for material to be granulated to hold the same andthe revolving means arranged therein in varying positions with respectto the slotted disk of the machine fifth, to provide such a machine witha rotating support for the disk thereof adapted to permit of readyremoval and replacing of said disk and also for retaining materialadapted to pass from the receiving-receptacle thereof, and,-siXth, toprovide such a machine with a receiving-hopper adapted to conductgranulated material into any suitable receiving vessel or to retain thesame in the absence of such a vessel;

The nature, characteristic features, and S00 e of my present inventionwill be more 1 understood from the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in whicFigure 1 is a view illustrating, partly in elevation and artly insection, the granulatingmachine, t e means for adj'ustably supportingthe receiving-receptacle, the support for the slotted disk, and themechanism for rotating and carrying the su port and receiv.

ing-hopper, and means for c osing the outletopening thereof, allembodying main features of mysaid invention. Fig. 2 is atop or planview, partly in section, of the machine of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view, enlarged, on the line as w of Fig. 2. detail "view,enlarged, illustrating in section the receiving-receptacle for thematerial to be granulated, a portion of the slotted disk and its su portarranged beneath the same and revo ving arms for forcing materialthroughslots of the disk; and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view,enlarged, on the line y y of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, (it represents a base to which are suitablysecured standards a and a serving to hold an annular body or support I),connected therewith by bolts a a certain distance above the base a, asshown in Fig. 1. The su port I) is provided with bosses 6, preferablyformed integral therewith, to which by means of brackets b and bolts andb are secured flanged rollers 6 I As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the rollers11 serve to rotatablysupport an annulus or ring 0, and by means, of theflanges b engag ing the interior surface of the contracted portion 0 ofthe ring, serve also to hold the same securely in position on therollers b and to prevent any sidewise displacement of the ring 0 withrespect to the support I). In the interior portion thereof the ring 0 isprovided with teeth 0 meshing with a gear-' wheel 11, supported by ashaft (1, arranged in the standard a. To the shaft (1 are secured fixedand loose pulleys d and (i which by means of a belt (1 (indicated bydotted lines in Fig. 1) are driven from any suitable source of power.(Not shown.) The belt (1 is actuated, preferably, by a belt-shifter e,slidably arranged on rods 0, of the standard a, which by means of links6 is connected with Figeisa.

a weighted arm 6 carried by a rod 6 mo v' ably arranged in the standarda, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rod 6'' by its bent portion 6 permitsof the actuation of the belt-shifter e, which is held in the position"iven by the weight 6 of the arm 6 The shaft (1 when rotated bythe'fixed pulley d imparts to the ring a by means of the gear-wheel d arotary movement for a purpose to be presently fully described. Toprevent any lifting of the ring 0 from the rollers b by the gear- .wheel(1, the brackets b of the annular support 1), arranged adjacent to thegear-wheel d, are provided with additional guide-rollers b engaging theupper surface of the ring a, and thus holding the same in position onthe rollers b as will be readily understood in Fig. 5. However,projections b and 6 formed integral with the brackets 6 will support andalso prevent the lifting of the ring 0 in case the rollers b and b failto serve their purpose. The ring 0 serves to support an annulargrate-like body f, which in turn supports a disk 9, provided with slotsg, preferably arranged radially with respect to the central verticalaxis of the disk. Both the grate-like body f and diskg are heldinposition in the ring 0 by an annulus h, connected therewith by meansof bolts h, which, in conjunction with the disk g, forms a shallowreceptacle for material to be granulated, the material having passedfrom a receptacle i, containing the same. The receptacle i is held inproximity to the disk 9 by a shaft 76 and extensions i of the lowersection 'L of the receptacle i, which by resting on the standard asupport the receptacle at one side thereof, while the receptacle at theside op posite to the extensions 7 is supported by the shaft k, as shownin Fig. 1. The shaft 7c at its free end is supported by ,a bracket 7c,pivotally connected in the point k to the standard a, while its otherend by means of bearings i formed integral with the receptacle i and itslower section 01, is supported by the same. Between the extensions i ofthe receptacle i and the standard a are placed washers Z, which, asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, hold the receptacle i with its outlet-opening 'Lin proximity to the disk 9 and when re placed by washers of greater orless diameter than those shown will permit the receptacle 1' to touchwith its lower surface i the disk g or be held more or less above thesame. These different positions of the receptacle i with respect tothedisk g are necessary to prevent discharge or removal of material fromthe receptacle by the disk g, moving with its outer ortion beneath theoutlet-opening i and ower surfaced thereof. Loose material or such as isof less consistency, for instance,

.will require the lowering of the receptacle close to the disk g, whiledough-like material or such of greater consistency will permit of aslight raising of the same above the disk, as such material will notreadily pass between the lower surface 77 thereof and the disk g. Theshaft 7c, partially supporting the receptacle i, is rotated by agear-wheel m actuated by a gear-wheel m, secured to thepositively-driven shaft d.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, within the receptaclei are arrangedpressure-arms 0 and 0, preferably formed integral with each other, whichby being secured to the shaft 7c are rotated by the same in a directionopposite to that of the disk, g. These arms are of a substantially Sshape in cross-section, and the outer surface of the lower curved endportions 0 thereof are held in alinement with the lower surface i of thereceptacle 2'. The material to be granulated and placed in thereceptacle i is forced by the revolving arms 0 and 0 throughits outlet itoward and against the disk g, which in the portions between the slots gis bent to form cutting edges g projecting above the disk 9, as shown inFig. 4. These cutting edges g cut the material prior to the forcing ofthe same through the slots g of the disk 9 by the curved portions 0 ofthe arms 0 and 0, which cutting thereof is facilitated by the obliqueposition of the bent portions 9 of the disk g, traveling with the raisedcutting edges g thereof in a direction opposite to that of the rotationof the arms 0 and 0. The slots 9 of the disk g being of a predeterminedlength and equal size and the speed of rotation of the arms 0 and. 0being of a fixed ratio with respect to the speed of travel of the disk 9insure the formation of granules of uniform size and length, whichgranules when compressed will form tablets, pills, or pastiles of equalweight and thickness. The bars f of the grate-like body f, supportingthe disk 9, are provided at their upper bearing-surfaces with slantingportions f so as to offer no resting-place for accumulation ofgranulated material and taper toward their lower portions to facilitateexit of granulated material therethrough. The disk g in its rotationwill conduct a certain portion of the material from the receptacle i byforcing the same outward. between the lower end i of the receptacle i atthe lefthand side of Fig. 4. This portion of the material leaving thereceptacle 1' is, however, rctained on the disk g by the annulus 72forming, in conjunction therewith, a shallow receptacle until by therotation of the disk 9 it is conducted back into the receptacle by contacting with the curved edge 11 at the righthand side of Fig. 4, whichcurved edge i facilitates its entrance into the same between the lowerportion i of the receptacle and the disk 9, as will be readilyunderstood from Figs. 1 and 4. The material granulated by the arms 0 and0 and disk g drops directly into a receiving vessel 1, arranged belowthe IIO disk-support'f and carried by the receptaclesupport 6, as shownin Fig. 8. This vessel may conduct the granulated material into anyvessel placed beneath the sameor may retain the material, for whichpurpose the receptacle is provided with a slide t, closing or freeingthe outlet-opening r thereof.

Having thus described the nature and obj ects of my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a rotatable slotted disk traveling beneath saidreceptacle, a shaft mounted in said receptacle and carrying arms havingsuccessive portions for forcing the material to and through said disk.

2. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a disk having openings rotating beneath said receptacle,and means arranged parallel to said disk and adapted to be broughtsuccessively into proximity to said disk to force the material to begranulated to and through the slots of said disk. I

3. In a-machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a

slotted disk traveling beneath said receptacle, oblong means arranged insaid receptacle parallel to said disk, and adapted to be broughtsuccessively into the path of the traveling disk to force the materialto be gralpulated to and through the'slots of said 4. In a machine ofthe character described, a receptacle for material to be granulated, aslotted disk rotating beneath said receptacle, a shaft mounted in saidreceptacle and carrying a device provided with oppositelycurvedportionsadapted to be successively brought into the path of travel of said diskto force the material to be granulated to and throu h the slots of saiddisk.

5. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a disk having slots and raised portions forming cuttingedges traveling beneath said receptacle, a shaft mounted in saidreceptacle parallel to said disk and carrying a device having portionsoppositely conforming in shape to each other to force successivelys'thematerial to be granulatedto said disk and for cutting said materialprior to its passage through the slots thereof. I 1

6. In a machine of the character described,

a receptacle for material to be granulated, a

slotted disk having bent portlons forming cutting edges, means forholding said disk beneath said receptacle and rotating in one directiona shaft mounted in said receptacle and carrying arms having portionsoppositely conforming in shape to each other and revolving in saidreceptacle in a direction opposite to that of the said disk, said armsarranged to successively force said material to be granulated to andthrough the slots of said disk, and the cutting edges of said disk soarranged as to facilitate the granulation of said material prior to itspassage through the slots of said rotatable disk.

7. In a machine of the character described,

a receptacle for material to be granulated, a

slotted disk, means for supporting and ro-v tating said disk beneathsaid receptacle, a shaft mounted in' said=receptacle parallel to saiddisk and carrying arms having end portions oppositely conforming inshape to each other to successively force material to be granulated toand through the slots of said disk and means for supporting saidreceptacle in variable positions with respect to said rotatable disk;

8. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a slotted disk, means for supporting and rotating saiddisk beneath said receptacle, a

shaft mounted in said receptacle and carry-- ing revolving arms forsuccessively forcing the material to be granulated to and through theslots of said disk, meansfor holding said receptacle in variablepositions with respect to said disk and means for receiving andsupporting the granulated material and having an outlet-opening providedwith a slide for removably closing the same.

9. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for material tobe granulated, a disk having slots, means for supporting and rotatingsaid disk beneath said receptacle,

said means arranged to retain the material leaving. said receptacle, andsaid disk in conjunction with said means arranged to conduct thematerial back to said receptacle.

10. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for materialto be granulated, a disk having slots rotating beneath said receptacle,and arms having curved ends revolving in said receptacle the curved endsof said arms arranged to-be successively moved over said disk to forcethe material into engagement therewith and through the slots thereof.

1 1. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for materialto be granulated, a disk having slots or openings arranged beneath theoutlet-opening thereof, a support for said disk, means having rolls forholding and maintaining said support in proper posigrated body and diskin position in said ring. 13. In a machine of the character described, areceptacle for material to be granulated, a disk having slots oropenings for partially closing the outlet thereof, a holder for saiddisk, comprising a ring, a grated body arranged in the ring supportingsaid disk, an annulus for removably holding the grated body and disk inposition in said ring, and a holder for the ring having rolls forsupporting said ring, and means for engaging said ring and revolving thesame on said rolls.

14. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for materialto be granulated, a disk having slots or openings for partially closingthe outlet thereof, a ring for the disk having teeth, a support for thering having rolls upon which said ring is placed, means for engaging theteeth of said ring and moving the same over said rolls, a receptacle formaterial passing through the slots of the disk and carried by saidsupport, said receptacle having means for closing the outlet thereof. 15. In a machine of the character. described, a standard, a receptaclefor material to be granulated engaging said standard, a shaft supportedby the standard and receptacle, a disk having slots arranged below thereceptacle in said standard, and means carried by said standard for en a111g said receptacle and arranged to hok l the same in varying positionswith respect to said disk. 16, Inamachine of the character described, astandard, a positively-driven shaft, a receptacle for material to begranulated engaging said standard, a second shaft pivotally supported atone end by said standard and at the other end by said receptacle, saidsecond shaft arranged to assist in the support of said receptacle, adisk having slots, a holder for said disk rotatably arranged in saidstandard having teeth, arms secured to said second shaft and arranged insaid receptacle, said arms adapted when rotated to force the ma terialagainst said disk and through the slots thereof, and a gear mechanismarranged to transmit the movement of the positivelydriven shaft to thesecond shaft and the arms thereof and to said holder by engaging theteeth thereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

EMANUEL L. RICHARDS.

Witnesses:

W. D. WELLS, GEORGE T. BROWN.

